Duncan Baillie

Duncan and the Battalion arrived in Le Havre on the 17/11/1915 and were part of the 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, but the original artillery and Train would not accompany it; instead, it would receive the artillery that had been raised for and trained with the 54th (East Anglian) Division. The move began on the 12th November and by the 21st November all units had reached the concentration area near Morbecque. Soon after arrival the Division was considerably strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, and other changes. Duncan was Killed in Action on the 07/01/1916 just 51 days after arriving in France. The Battalion War Diary for that date states : "Work on trenches continuous - up and down traffic being arranged for by clearing trenches, also cross communication CUINCHY SUPPORT POINT, STAFFORD REDOUBT, BRADDELL'S KEEP + HARLEY ST being strengthened. Enemy snipers very active again. Also RIFLE GRENADES". SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM NOVEMBER 1915 - JANUARY 1916 (from Duncan's arrival in France to his death). Duncan was a highly respected Church Worker and member of the Church Lads Brigade. See Newspaper clippings for the Reverend Archibald Chisholm's tribute from the pulpit of the Middle United Free Church. Duncan is also remembered on the Middle United Free Church and the Parish of St. John's Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Duncan's Medal Index Card, Army Register of Soldiers Effects, Service Medal and Award Rolls, CWGC Grave Registration x 2, Headstone Report x 2, Woburn Abbey Cemetery, the King's Royal Rifle Corps Cap Badge and Duncan's Pension Records x 2. Duncan's grave inscription reads "FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS". Finally. see photos for Newspaper clippings x 6 (Coatbridge Express x 4 and Coatbridge Leader x 2), pages from the 33rd Division book x 8, the 33rd Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division he was with when he died), another photo of Duncan's grave kindly donated by my friend in France, Thierry Dericbourg and a Newspaper clipping from the Coatbridge Express 10/02/1915 (St. John's Episcopal Church Roll of Honour).